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My first foray into Hoffmann has led me to this awkward novel. It proposes to be the autobiography of a self-taught cat edited by Hoffmann himself. But because of a printing error, the autobiography comes out spliced with the biography of Kapellmeister Johannes Kreisler (Hoffmann?s alter ego). Both narratives go on, breaking off at dramatic points and leaving the reader anxious to jump back into each of them.

This is an uneven novel. In Murr, Hoffmann created a loveable, na?ve, arrogant cat whose intellectual and emotional growth is a clear mockery of Romanticism and Goethe?s sentimental novels. He writes ridiculous poems on his exaggerated feelings; he quotes writers he never read; he has unrequited loves; he has duels of honor; he joins cat fraternities; he befriends dogs and even writes a book about both species. He constantly reminds the ?young tomcats? reading his memoirs how he?ll be great one day and constantly gives advice on things he?s inexperienced in. His personality is so mesmerizing.

Then there?s Johannes Kreisler?s side. It involves Princes and Princesses and a dull romantic story with Gothic trappings that I hardly remember even though I finished this novel one day ago. From the introduction I realize it?s a satire of German society, but it?s not as amusing as Murr?s satire of the entire spirit of an age. Kreisler is an eccentric musician given to mood swings, but he?s never as fascinating as the self-taught cat who thought he was a descendant of the Puss in Boots. I cringed whenever his wonderful thoughts broke off to continue Kreisler?s life. And, disturbingly, Hoffmann granted it more pages.

This is a wonderful read for anyone who likes a good mix of humor and fantasy, or loves cats. I myself am a fan of cat characters: Puss in Boots, Tobermory, Cheshire Cat. Murr is a nice addition to my knowledge.